Chandigarh, Nov. 11 -- In a move that could intensify the simmering power struggle within the Punjab Congress, its president Pargat Singh has announced a statewide outreach campaign, "Punjab Mangda Insaaf", beginning November 11 - a day before party's campaign committee chairman Charanjit Singh Channi's proposed "Jawani Sambhal, Jatta" cycle yatra.

The timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows within the party, with the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) programme being seen as an attempt to assert the organisation's independent identity and prevent Channi's political exercise from overshadowing the state unit's activities.

Party insiders said some senior Congress leaders had advised Pargat to schedule the programme for Wedne...